On May 2, 2026, the Hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius was officially reported to the World Health Organization. However, the first passenger’s symptoms began much earlier on April 6, 2026.
For instance, the World Health Organization states, “Eight cases have been recorded, three confirmed by laboratory testing. Three people have also died. Hantavirus usually spreads by inhaling contaminated rodent droppings and can spread person-to-person, though the WHO calls that rare.”
Along with several cases of Hantavirus being discovered, they have been evacuated by air ambulance for treatment. Although the people who fell sick with the virus are being escorted from the ship, humans who have not yet been contaminated cannot dock the ship and evacuate.
Secondly, the World Health Organization also states, “Three patients suspected of having the hantavirus have been evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship and are on their way to the Netherlands to receive medical care, the World Health Organization said Wednesday. The three are German, Dutch, and British, the last of whom is a crew member, according to the WHO. And in the latest twist in the ordeal for the 150 or so passengers on board, the leader of the Canary Islands has rejected a plan for the ship to dock there.”
Along with all these concerns, a flight planned to evacuate the ship’s doctor, who has been taken sick, to the Canary Islands was canceled. As the MV Hondius was initially denied permission to dock in Cape Verde, the regional government of the Canary Islands also tried to block its docking. Now, we can only hope that Spain’s national government approves docking so we can safely get these passengers medical attention and treat the outbreak before it spreads further.
